Process for changing MOS (M-Day)

January 29th, 2013, 04:11 PM

Hello,

The situation:

1) I'm a 1LT, just became eligible for promotion to CPT based on minimum time in grade. I spoke with my S1 and was told I will not be able to put in for promotion until there is an O-3 slot available for me to be promoted into (or until I'm occupying such a slot as an O-2).

1a) I was commissioned in July 2009 with a GRFD ROTC scholarship (2.5 years of college paid for).

1b) I am serving in the MA ARNG

2) I'm a 13A00 (Field Artillery). I did two years with an IN unit, to include a deployment as an FSO. I've also served as a BTRY PL for the last 1.5 years. No FDO experience, nor any deployment experience with the FA outside the 13F's. No BN staff experience.

3) I'm currently attending graduate school for an MBA. I was enrolled in the FA CCC online course module, but have not completed it as my civilian work, school work, and family are much more pressing issues to me.

4) There are only 2 battery command slots in my BN, both of which were just filled in the summer of 2012. As such, they won't be changing very soon barring unforseen events/circumstances. Additionally, I know I'm not qualified for (nor do I desire) BTRY command right now.

The goal:

I'd like to change my MOS from Field Artillery to Quartermaster, Signal, or another occupational specialty more in line with the needs of the civilian job market. While I've enjoyed the big guns, and I know the leadership/management lessons and experience of being a small unit leader are invaluable, I'd like to pick a less high-stress MOS for the future. Additionally, I'm hoping to acquire technical skills that will make me useful on the civilian side.

The Question:

What do I need to do to transition to a new MOS? Do I need to locate a new unit, complete DA/NGB Form ????, speak with my CoC?

Thanks for your help!

Last edited by cocasi02; January 29th, 2013, 04:27 PM.
Reason: to add information re: GRFD scholarship/state of service

This is an issue for your chain of command. You may find that you have overestimated the useful practical knowledge you'll gain as a logistics officer, and understated what you will learn in your current assignment (e.g., intangible life lessons).

Officer career management is both an art and a science. Since this is your M-Day career, you have the luxury of not obsessing over promotions (will the drill pay difference between O2 and O3 really make an impact on your lifestyle?). You can be a logistician anywhere (Walmart has plenty of them), but you'll only shoot artillery in the Guard.

Comment

I would also suggest that you have this discussion with your battalion commander so you don't surprise him when you ask him and what he thinks about your plan. Much of it is state dependent on slots ect for other branches.

Keep mind, LG now covers a huge area in the Army and may not always be applicable to the civilian world.

Comment

1) I'm a 1LT, just became eligible for promotion to CPT based on minimum time in grade. I spoke with my S1 and was told I will not be able to put in for promotion until there is an O-3 slot available for me to be promoted into (or until I'm occupying such a slot as an O-2).

1a) I was commissioned in July 2009 with a GRFD ROTC scholarship (2.5 years of college paid for).

1b) I am serving in the MA ARNG

2) I'm a 13A00 (Field Artillery). I did two years with an IN unit, to include a deployment as an FSO. I've also served as a BTRY PL for the last 1.5 years. No FDO experience, nor any deployment experience with the FA outside the 13F's. No BN staff experience.

3) I'm currently attending graduate school for an MBA. I was enrolled in the FA CCC online course module, but have not completed it as my civilian work, school work, and family are much more pressing issues to me.

4) There are only 2 battery command slots in my BN, both of which were just filled in the summer of 2012. As such, they won't be changing very soon barring unforseen events/circumstances. Additionally, I know I'm not qualified for (nor do I desire) BTRY command right now.

The goal:

I'd like to change my MOS from Field Artillery to Quartermaster, Signal, or another occupational specialty more in line with the needs of the civilian job market. While I've enjoyed the big guns, and I know the leadership/management lessons and experience of being a small unit leader are invaluable, I'd like to pick a less high-stress MOS for the future. Additionally, I'm hoping to acquire technical skills that will make me useful on the civilian side.

The Question:

What do I need to do to transition to a new MOS? Do I need to locate a new unit, complete DA/NGB Form ????, speak with my CoC?

Thanks for your help!

Well, I'll tell you this much about Signal and the civilian job market: Defense contractors and government tech consulting firms often require real technical expertise - well at least the well paying jobs. The average junior Signal officer doesn't have that expertise solely from attending BOLC and CCC. It would appear as if the experience they may be looking for can be obtained as a Functional Area specialist but that usually occurs later on in one's career (CPT+).